Thursday, September 23, 2010

Raahat se Raahat milti nahi ab...

If you are (still) a die-hard fan of Raahat Fateh Ali Khan, you might want to stop right here... not that I am to write anything offensive about him. I love him, he is to be respected. But aren't we killing him already?

Like many other Pakistani singers, the Bhatts introduced us to this master, he sang for us, Laagi Tujhse Mann Ki Lagan. A song that anyone is ready to hear even today anytime of the day. And as is in Bollywood, you just need one big hit. There he was:

First looking like he was picking his songs with bigger banners and selectively:

2005 Kalyug - Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
2006 Omkara - Naina
2007 Jhoom Barabar Jhoom - Bol Na Halke Halke
2007 Om Shanti Om - Jag Soona Soona Lage
2007 Namaste London - Main Jahaan Rahoon
2007 Aaja Nachle - O Re Piya
2008 Haal-E-Dil - Haal-E-Dil
2008 Woodstock Villa - Koi Chala Ja Raha Hai
2008 Dil Kabaddi - Zindagi Ye (special appearance)

Then, giving us hit after hit on one year:

2009 Main Aurr Mrs Khanna - Rabba
2009 Billu Barber - Jahoon Kahan
2009 Love Aaj Kal - Ajj Din Chadheya
2009 London Dreams - Khwab Jo
2009 De Dana Dan - Rishte Nate
2009 Veer - Surili Akhiyon Wale & Surili Akhiyon Wale (duet)

And then - ONLY him giving us hits! EVERY film whether big or small has his song in it. Its as if its a compulsory obligation that every album should include his song!

2010 My Name Is Khan - Sajda
2010 Ishqiya - Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji
2010 Toh Baat Pakki - Phir Se
2010 Lahore - Ore Bande
2010 Badmaash Company - Fakeera
2010 Virsa- Mein Tenu Samjhawan
2010 I Hate Luv Storys - Bahara (Chill Version)
2010 Milenge Milenge - Ishq Ki Gali
2010 Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai - Tum Jo Aaye
2010 We Are Family - Ankhon Mein Neendein
2010 Dabangg - Tere Mast Mast Do Nain
2010 Anjaana Anjaani - Aas Pass Khuda & Aas Pass Khuda - Unplugged(duet)
2010 Aakrosh - Man Ke Mat

And of these songs (in just 6 months or so of the year) - just one song that challenged his style and presented him in a refreshing manner: Dil To Bachha.

He is UNIQUE and he is great, but why do we need to make him omnipresent and make him lose his charm? And I dont think that just the music directors or producers are to blame, but even the singer himself, who but cannot be blamed for enjoying his super-stardom.

This had been on my mind for some time now, but only got down to paper (or blog as you may) -after a friend while hearing one of his songs mistook it for another one. I pity the radio playlists that have only his songs on High Rotation... there seems to be no choice! And in effect, no variety. I guess we would just have to wait till the next singer is introduced by the Bhatts :)